Little Phoenix in New Bedford is spreading its wings with food trucks, new summer schedule

NEW BEDFORD — For a busy guy, you would think Fairhaven resident Robert Roderiques, owner of Fairhaven Excavating, would stay in town to grab a quick bite to eat during the work day. But the drive to the far North End of New Bedford for lunch at his favorite spot earlier this week was well worth it, he said, as always.

"I don't mind traveling to come here. I'm here quite a lot throughout the week," Roderiques said as he waited for his Thanksgiving sandwich at The Little Phoenix at 4128 Acushnet Ave. Tuesday afternoon. "Everything is great.... The cheese rolls are to die for. I buy a half dozen at a time on Sundays."

"It's good home cooking; you can't beat it," chimed in another customer, John Mello, president of JM Equipment Co. Inc. in East Freetown, while enjoying one of his favorites: a medium-rare cheeseburger with the works.

Sarah Simmons opened The Little Phoenix in 1997, after the success of her first restaurant, The Phoenix, which opened two years earlier in Fairhaven. In 2000, Simmons had a Dartmouth restaurant built, named Just Another Phoenix, but ultimately decided her passions were with the New Bedford location, which she describes as the most intimate of the three.

The original Phoenix eventually closed upon the end of Simmons' lease there, she said, and the experienced restauranteur began leasing out the Dartmouth location, still in operation at 450 Faunce Corner Rd.

"This place is where my heart is," Simmons said, noting she favors its "quaint" feel.

What's new?

People who regularly drive by The Little Phoenix might notice the attractive new paint job and signage, but there's a lot of new things going on inside, too. For one, this week starts a new extended schedule for the summer, Simmons said, calling the move a response to high demand for Little Phoenix at dinnertime.

"I started opening up Friday nights like seven months ago, I did it specifically for seafood because Everybody's Pizza [in Freetown] closed, so people who'd been going there for seafood started asking if we might offer something," Simmons said. "So now I'm going to be open on Thursday nights, too."

Simmons said the "extensive" seafood menu includes lobster, scallops, shrimp, fish, homemade fish cakes, clam cakes, fried clams, stuffed quahogs, chowders and claimboils.

Little Phoenix spreads its wings

As much stake as she has in her brick and mortar restaurant, Simmons love of food service can't be contained within its walls alone. Luckily, the former equestrian had some horse trailers sitting around, which she's repurposed into a small fleet of mobile food units that can be used to cater events.

The past few years have seen the debut of the "Phoenix on the Fly" food trailer, equipped with a full kitchen; the "Boujee Bar" which focuses on ice cream and other frozen treats like the fan-favorite acai bowl; and the latest addition, "Easy Beans," equipped to specialize in gourmet cold brew coffees, frozen fruit smoothies, and more, Simmons said.

Easy Beans food trailer set for summer beach gig

Dartmouth residents who enjoy Round Hill Beach will have their chance to taste what Cool Beans has to offer all summer long, Simmons said, noting she won the food vendor contract there for the season.

Aside from cold brews and frozen treats, Simmons said beach customers will be able to get cold sandwiches, wraps, salads, charcuterie boards and even pies fresh out of her new OOni brand pizza oven.

"It makes pizzas in 90 seconds," she said.

Cool Beans' seven-days-a-week Round Hill schedule of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is set to begin June 10, Simmons said.

Outside seating now open; dogs welcome!

With the warm months now upon us, Simmons says outside dining — both tented tables and uncovered picnic-style seating — is up and running. That said, one thing dog-lovers may be excited to hear is that four-legged companions are welcome to join them in those areas.

"People bring their animals and put the leashes around a leg of the table; we provide water and bones," Simmons said. "It's worked out great. We've never had a problem with dogs. Everybody is really respectful."

Phoenix means family

Part of why Simmons says she chose the smallest of her restaurants to keep running herself is how "personal" it feels.

"My customers really are family here," Simmons said, noting it isn't uncommon for her to do things like attend their important family events, or leave flowers at the homes of those going through hard times. "And most of my staff have come with me from Fairhaven, so my people stay for a long time."

"My daughter is getting married, we're going to have about 300 people, and I'm having Sarah cater it," Roderiques said. "That's how much faith I have."

Simmons said she's also been asked to cater for workers at the WIN Waste facility in New Bedford, thanks to her connection with regular customer Richard Frade, who also happened to be at The Little Phoenix on Tuesday to enjoy a burger.

Want a Little Phoenix food trailer at your event?

While Cool Beans will be dedicated to serving Round Hill Beach for the summer, Phoenix on the Fly and the Boujee Bar are available for parties and events, though schedules are filling up fast for the season, Simmons said.

To learn more or schedule a date, Simmons says to call her event planner Molly at 508-991-1249.

When to go

The Little Phoenix summer schedule is as follows: Monday-Wednesday 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; Saturday 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For menus or more information on The Little Phoenix, visit www.littlephoenixma.com.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: The Little Phoenix in New Bedford set for exciting summer